President Donald Trump has reportedly warned his aides that he will consider larger action if diplomacy or targeted strikes fail to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
While U.S. and Iranian negotiators are reportedly set to meet in Geneva on Thursday to try to find a solution that avoids a military conflict, Trump has been considering other options if talks fail. New York Times.
Trump advisers told The Washington Post that both sides have stepped up military preparations in the region in recent days as Trump has been leaning toward strikes to show Iran that it must give up its ability to build nuclear weapons. Second-rate.
Targets under consideration range from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters to nuclear facilities to ballistic missile programs, the report said.
The report said Trump would consider launching a larger military strike later this year to topple supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei if Iran ignores U.S. demands.
President Donald Trump has reportedly warned his aides that he may take larger action if the strikes do not persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program (AFP/Getty)
However, government officials are skeptical that such a change can be achieved through airstrikes alone. Officials are also considering an alternative to avoid military intervention: a limited nuclear enrichment program that Iran could use only for medical research and treatment, era Report. The outlet added that it was unclear whether Iran would accept such a limited scope, given that it has already spent a lot of money on the program.
independent The White House has been contacted for comment.
Trump reportedly discussed plans to strike Iran in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday with Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, General Dan Kaine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, CIA Director John Ratliff and White House Chief of Staff Suzy Wells.
During the meeting, Trump pressed Kaine and Ratcliffe to weigh in on the plan, but neither man advocated a position. Kaine reportedly told Trump ahead of last month’s operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that there was a good chance of success, but could not make the same guarantee during the Iran discussions.
Meanwhile, Vance, who advocates more restraint in overseas military operations, did not oppose the attack. During the meeting, however, he questioned Kane and Ratcliffe and pressed them to share their views on the plan.
The report said the United States has been considering various options, including using ground special operations forces to conduct raids to destroy Iran’s nuclear or missile facilities.
Protesters have taken to the streets of Iran since last year/(Getty)
However, conducting such an attack would be dangerous and would require troops to be on the ground much longer than during the operation to capture Maduro.
Several U.S. officials told era Plans for a commando raid have been put on hold.
The White House declined to comment era About Trump’s decision
“The media may continue to speculate on the president’s thinking, but only President Trump knows what he will or will not do,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement.